Power Steering pump too much pressure

[clarrance]

How can I reduce the pressure on a GM Saginaw pump. The steering is super easy and makes it drive funny at highway speed. Is there any way to adjust the pump pressure?

 

[charlie6976]

%)If a new install, do you have the correct diameter pulley on the pump?

 

[TAC71]

The adapter where the pressure line comes out of the pump houses the pressure regulator. You can get different valves to change the output pressure.

 

[DirtDonk]

Did you also change anything else? Such as linkage, or as mentioned, pulley size?
Or anything along those thought lines, such as tires, air pressure, wheel size, etc?

Good luck. If you go with the different pressure, definitely report back what your results are.

Paul

 

[clarrance]

The adapter where the pressure line comes out of the pump houses the pressure regulator. You can get different valves to change the output pressure.

Do you know where to buy the different size adapters? How can you tell the difference in the adapters? For a reference starting point how do I know which adapter I have and which one would I need? I've also read about a shim kit for the adapters. I'm guessing it does something to the spring pressure on the regulator piston. I'm confused????

 

[xcntrk]

Most complain of not enough assist from their power steering. Sounds like a good excuse to run some larger tires

 

[512cadillac]

adjusting power steering pump pressure

I went through the same problems with my current Bronco. There is a really good web site that talks about this. http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/1209cct-perfect-power-steering/ Borgeson steering sells a shim kit to adjust the flow by-pass pressures and get the steering to feel tighter. This is all assuming that your steering box is good, tie rods and alignment specs are good. You can also find the shim kits through Summit and Jeg's It only took about an hour to install, I used all of the shims which adjusted the pressure down to the 900 psi range like the Thompson pump the bronco came with. It is much nicer to drive now and I really would recommend giving it a try. You can shoot me a PM if you have any questions. Merry Christmas, John

 

[Broncobowsher]

IT could also be a soft torsion rod in the steering box. Dropping pump pressure may hurt more low speed assist than expected and not take as much out on the highway.

It's just that changing the torsion rod in the steering box isn't a simple project like changing the pump output. But something to think about if the pump mod doesn't work like you want it to.

 

[ntsqd]

Sounds to me like an excuse to dial in more Caster.

 

[Yeller]

High pump pressure actually has little to do with feel, normally if the feel is too soft and squirrely at speed caster is out of wack or has the incorrect torsion bar in the valve for the application, but usually the torsion bar is broken or its a caster issue. I see it often that the valve is broken.

The OEMs play with pump pressure to fine tune low speed vs high speed assist. I've seen them do some elaborate things to try to tune that. That is part of the reason they started using electronic variable assist on performance cars years ago. But on our trucks if the castor and alignment is right the torsion bar is too soft or broken. Or not trying to insult anyone, drive like my ham fisted wife with no finesse.

 

[70_Steve]

Check your caster. Too little caster will make the steering easy. With power steering you want something close to 5°.

 

[TAC71]

check with KRC ps pumps ...they have different flow valves

 

[Apogee]

I'm going to pile onto the caster band wagon, although like others said above, it could also be the torsion rod. Also, what ratio steering gearbox are you running? Steering wheel diameter? It's all a part of the puzzle when you're talking about "feelings".

 

[n59rob]

Chad,
Go to the street rod suppliers and get an adjustable bypass valve for the high pressure line. You can dial it in to exactly what feel you are looking for. Ran one on my Cobra to dial in the feel that I needed and it worked great!